Morning Rundown: Benches clear in Pirates win, Hunter Barco pitches five shutout innings
Pirates win game three of series against Nationals, Barco shutout streak continues
It was a wild ending in game three of the Pirates/Nationals series, as the benches cleared after Bryan Reynolds was hit by a pitch, and then Andrew McCutchen had to hit the dirt to avoid another pitch.
Oneil Cruz put the nail in the coffin, hitting a grand slam, making it 6-0.
Bailey Falter pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk. He needed just 83 pitches to get through the start.
The Pirates will look to lock up a four-game series win on Thursday with Andrew Heaney on the mound. They will face former Pirates Trevor Williams, and the game has an expected start time of 12:35 pm ET.
Hunter Barco kept his scoreless streak to start the season going after pitching five shutout innings on Wednesday. He recorded 19 whiffs, striking out six while allowing just a walk and a hit.
He’s struck out 14 batters across 13 innings pitched in three starts this season. Barco has walked two batters (has hit another three) while allowing just six hits.
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Jared Triolo made his return to the lineup after just one rehab game with Indianapolis. He went 1-3 while playing second and first base.
To make room on the active roster, Tsung-Che Cheng was optioned to Indianapolis.
Pittsburgh Pirates optioned SS Tsung-Che Cheng to the Indianapolis Indians
Top Exit Velocity
Oneil Cruz - PIT - 109.4 mph - Groundout
Ke’Bryan Hayes - PIT - 108.3 mph - Groundout
Tommy Pham - PIT - 107.3 mph - Lineout
Axiel Plaz - BRD - 107.3 mph - Groundout
Nick Solak - IND - 107 mph - Single
Top Pitch Velocity
David Bednar - IND - 97.2 mph
David Bednar - IND - 96.8 mph
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 96.8 mph
David Bednar - IND - 96.4 mph
David Bednar - IND - 96.3 mph
Isaac Mattson - IND - 96.3 mph
Isaias Uribe - BRD - 96.3 mph
Most Whiffs
Hunter Barco - ALT - 19
Carson Fulmer - IND - 14
Clevari Tejada - BRD - 9
Ryder Ryan - IND - 9
Antwone Kelly - GBO - 9
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Indianapolis Indians - 5 vs Toledo Mud Hens - 4 F/12
Top Hitter - Malcom Nunez: 2-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Top Pitcher - Carson Fulmer: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 3 K
Altoona Curve - 10 vs Somerset Patriots - 1
Top Hitter - Jack Brannigan: 3-4, R, 4 RBI, BB, 2B, HR
Top Pitcher - Hunter Barco: 5 IP, H, BB, 6 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 4 vs Jersey Shore BlueClaws - 0
Top Hitter - Shalin Polanco: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B, HR
Top Pitcher - Antwone Kelly: 4 IP, H, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 0 vs Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 1
Top Hitter - Yordany De Los Santos: 1-3
Top Pitcher - Clevari Tejada: 4 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 5 K
Big day for SPs in the system today, if the probables hold: Harrington, Dotel, McMillan and Carlos Castillo.
Also of note, Carson Fulmer is pitching very well for Indy. Not sure where he’d fit in, but he was passable as a swing man last year for LAA. After so many years of struggling in the majors and minors, maybe he’s figuring it out.
Brett Sullivan has replaced Gutierrez on the taxi squad. Seems like they should know by now whether Bart can go or not.
Sullivan’s been a surprisingly solid hitter for a catcher throughout his time in the minors. It’s odd he’s stayed unnoticed. He’s apparently just middling defensively.